100 Cash Shuntian Yuanbao imitation, with dot, iron

You Zhou — centered on modern Beijing — operated as a semi-independent military governorship under the Liang and later Tang successor states during the chaotic Five Dynasties transition. This imitation Shuntian Yuanbao was struck locally rather than under central imperial authority, a product of a regime that controlled its own foundries and had little interest in waiting for legitimacy from distant courts. The dot variety is a die-specific distinguishing feature catalogued by Hartill as distinct from the plain type, likely reflecting sequential casting rather than intentional mint marking.

Iron coinage in this region signals chronic copper shortages — metal that went to weapons before money.